College Cellars Of Walla Walla

Spring Valley Vineyard

Nina Lee Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2016

Dark ruby/ Inky in color, with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, light earth and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, milk chocolates, tobacco, licorice, light herbs and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious 10 years old Syrah from Washington State. Elegant and rich, fruit forward and smooth. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Complex and interesting.

Very typical to the Terroir, which is nice to see. The alcohol is nicely integrated by now.

I had this vintage 5 years ago and it is drinking much better now. Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of 94% Syrah with 6% Viognier. Aged in (20% new) French Oak barrels for 19 months.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 4 days ago

Sagee, Dave and 4 others liked this

Horsepower Vineyards

The Tribe Vineyard Syrah 2011

This is super mellow. Soft and silky tannins with subtle red and blue fruit flavors. Lots of secondary and tertiary flavors which gives a lot of complexity. — 2 months ago

Joel, Dave and 2 others liked this

Reynvaan Family Vineyards

In the Rocks Syrah 2013

Shay A
9.4

Standout bottle from Reynvaan at almost 13yrs. I’ve really enjoyed their syrahs with 10+yrs on them.

95 Syrah/ 5 viognier (co-ferment). Essentially Reynvaan’s version of Cayuse’s Cailloux (both co-fermenting a splash of Viognier).

Lots of experience with these but this bottle just had a little bit “more” of everything. Consumed from bottle over the course of a couple hours before corking and consuming the second half the next day. Immediate “Rocks district” funk aromatically (not quite Cayuse-level funk, but close)…green herbal crunch, olive, dark florals. The mid-palate and finish are the stars…so much complexity in flavor (smoked meat, peppered rhubarb and blackberries, stems) wrapped in a beautifully elegant profile. Oak has faded away and acidity carries it beautifully. Whereas Cayuse wines stay sanguine, savory and herbal all the way through, this has a lifted, perfumed and balanced (fruit and herbs) finish that is eerily reminiscent of Guigal’s La Turque. Best Reynvaan I’ve had.

I really liked this on day one but loved it on day two (score reflecting day two). This is at the pinnacle of its window, so don’t miss it.
— 5 months ago

Tom, Steve and 27 others liked this
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Shay A Great review! Thanks 😊

K Vintners

The Boy Grenache 2018

Walla Walla Grenache. Bright (but light) garnet color. Bold red fruit aromas with additional notes of dried herbs, wet stones and wild flowers. Ripe strawberry, red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors along with white pepper, lavender and roasted nuts. Hint of maple syrup (?) on the long and drawn out finish. Not much (neutral?) of an oak presence. Medium bodied, excellent texture and complexity along with very fine tannins. Finish just doesn’t quit. Fantastic! — 7 months ago

Bob and Paul liked this

Seven Hills Winery

Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Pretty nose with flower notes and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, blackberries, tobacco, chocolates, light oak, spices and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and cherries.

This 11 year old Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley is drinking beautifully now. Complex and fruit forward. Elegant and rich. Spicy and entertaining.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points. Wine Spectator 91 points.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80.
— 9 months ago

Dave, Bob and 8 others liked this

Gramercy Cellars

Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2017

In the words of my son, “Bruh!” Dark Cherry and currant, big yet structured, tannin and acidity is in that sweet spot. Paired with reverse seat steak, amazing! — 3 years ago

Cayuse Vineyards

God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache 2022

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2022 pours a bright ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fresh, pretty notes of red fruits: raspberries, Bing cherry, red flowers, white pepper, rocky earth and some gentle cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and juicy. Drink now through 2042. — 12 days ago

Jan, Tom and 12 others liked this

Cayuse Vineyards

Camaspelo Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

Started off a bit thin and a bit of funk but with air, was fantastic. — 2 months ago

Ira, Tom and 2 others liked this

Cayuse Vineyards

The Lovers Cabernet-Syrah Blend

Full-bodied Cabernet with fine tannins providing structure. There is a herbaceous note on the palate and some minty spice as well. Definite notes reminiscent of a cooler weather Cabernet style… — 5 months ago

Charles Smith

M.C.K. (Motor City Kitty) Syrah 2022

Beast! Big, burly, brooding, and bawesome.
Rich and gamey with smoky olive brine and savory layers of earth. Tucking a couple away.
— 5 months ago

Tom, Steve and 3 others liked this

Cayuse Vineyards

Bionic Frog Walla Walla Valley Syrah

I have been fortunate to drink a number of these BF’s over the years. All have been quite decent. This is no exception.  — 7 months ago

Sleight Of Hand Cellars

The Psychedelic Stoney Vine Estate Vineyard Syrah

Blood and iron. High acid. Roasted tomato. Well made. Good food wine. — 8 months ago

Dave and Shay liked this

Reynvaan Family Vineyards

Foothills Reserve Syrah 2018

This wine is improving with age. An exceptional example of Washington State Syrah, this wine has a beautiful balance of alcohol, acid, fruit and silky tannins. Deep ruby color, the aroma and palate have great intensity without being heavy. Loads of blackberry, violet, black plum, licorice, cedar, clove, tobacco, tar, slate, dried leaves, leather and great minerality. Full bodied with a very long finish. It is a haunting wine with great finesse. — 10 months ago

Tom, Paul and 1 other liked this
Lyn Farmer

Lyn Farmer Influencer Badge

Hey Tim, sorry that got left off. This was 2018. I bought a few bottles to open over tones. This one was noticeable bump up from the already very good one I opened two years shop. One left….
Lyn Farmer

Lyn Farmer Influencer Badge

Sorry - Tom!
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

@Lyn Farmer - No problem! I was just curious.

K Vintners

The Creator Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2016

First of a couple Ks. Powerline for the win. — 5 years ago

Keaton, Shay and 4 others liked this

Figgins

Estate Red Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Beautiful Bordeaux blend expression of Walla Walla. Concentrated fruit that stays centered. Vibrant, intense yet nuanced dark fruit flavors carried by rounded tannins. — 2 months ago

Peter, Tom and 5 others liked this

Leonetti Cellar

Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Mary H
9.0

Strong red blend and gentle tannins for not a lot of age, and for WA state for that matter. Was busy discussing business while drinking this so copying web tasting notes: “blackberry, marionberry, cassis, dried herbs, olive tapenade, cedar, vanilla, and coffee.” — 2 months ago

Amavi Cellars

Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with light cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, cola, herbs and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, black plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, coffee, herbs, dark chocolates, black tea, peppercorn and cola.

Long finish with no tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious 10-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Complex and nicely balanced.

Good right out of the bottle and didn't evolve much with air, even after after 2 hours.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

I had this vintage 7 years ago, and it is so much better now. Probably a little past its peak, but delicious nonetheless. A little flat at this point, but very tasty. I love these Cabernet based Bordeaux blends.

Easy drinking and a great sipping wine.

A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. Aged in (28% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45 (current vintage).
— 5 months ago

Dave, Austin and 12 others liked this

Amavi Cellars

Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2016

Inky in color with a short purple rim. Not showing much age.

Fruity nose of black fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, earth, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, light vegetables and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, black currants, licorice, light wood, spices, coffee, tobacco, dark chocolates, earth, vegetables, light tar and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 9 year old Syrah from Washington State is drinking very nicely now, and will continue to do so in the next few years.

Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and entertaining with a nice mouthfeel. Very complex at this point.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points.

I had this vintage 6 years ago, and it is drinking so much better now. It was well worth the wait.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 88% Syrah and 12% Grenache. Aged in (16% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$70.
— 7 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 10 others liked this

Gramercy Cellars

John Lewis Walla Walla Valley Syrah 2008

Shay A
9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush.
— 9 months ago

Joseph, Tom and 19 others liked this

Doubleback

Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Medium to dark garnet/purple to the edges with a nose of red/black plum with earth & oak. In the mouth starts smooth & medium bodied but still quite acidic after 10 mins in glass. Will wait- another 20 mins and acidity tempered and much better with still mild tannins. Plums and maybe blackberry, earth & oak. On the drier side- more air & food should make it great! — 3 years ago

Gordon GoldingPeggy Cohen
with Gordon and Peggy